Romney optimistic about election

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STORY: Mitt Romney mounted a last-minute Election Day drive on Tuesday to get his supporters to the polls in Ohio.

Capping a long and bitter presidential campaign, Americans cast their votes at polling stations across the country. At least 120 million people were expected to render judgment on whether to give President Barack Obama a second term or replace him with Republican challenger Romney.

Their decision will set the country's course for the next four years on spending, taxes, healthcare and foreign policy challenges like the rise of China and Iran's nuclear ambitions.

"Paul Ryan and I are going to do that, we are going to get America back on track. I'm so optimistic, not just about the results of the election, but optimistic about what is ahead for America. We have glorious, great days ahead and we are going accomplish that together. So thank you, you guys are fabulous," Romney told supporters in Cleveland.

National opinion polls show Obama and Romney in a virtual dead heat, although the Democratic incumbent has a slight advantage in several vital swing states - including Ohio - that could give him the 270 electoral votes needed to win the state-by-state contest.

Romney, the multimillionaire former head of a private equity firm, would be the first Mormon president and one of the wealthiest Americans to occupy the White House.